Chapter no.49 The Hyuga Clan

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[ 7 Years Before Present Day ]

[ Hyuga Clan ]

"The hokage has requested for the clan head to make his appearance in the council to greet the Kumo ambassador."

This serious matter demanded the full attention of the Hyuga Clan leader.

Yet, as I sat listening to the report, my focus drifted.

Across from me stood a man with a long, angular face, pronounced cheekbones, and a strong jawline, his dark hair neatly combed back, and thin, arched eyebrows giving him a distinguished look.

Staring at him was like looking into a mirror. This was my twin brother, Hizashi Hyuga.

His expression was stoic, but even through the emotionless facade, I could sense his discontent.

Who could blame him?

He stood before the main family, yet he was part of the branch family, marked by fate and bound by duty not chosen by him but imposed upon him.

My gaze shifted around the room, settling on the faces of the main family of the Hyuga clan.

They listened intently to Hizashi's report, their eyes occasionally flicking to me, awaiting my response.

I despised the terms 'main family' and 'branch family,' yet these were etched deep into the very essence of our clan, as fundamental as our kekkei genkai.

The Hyuga structure was much like a dynastic caste system, designed with precision to secure leadership and safeguard clan secrets.

By tradition, the leader's firstborn was groomed to lead, while the subsequent children, despite their potential or desires, were marked with the cursed seal, destined to protect and serve the main family.

This seal was not just a mark; it was a shackle to a fate they never chose, only removable through death.

This system, conceived during the early days of our clan's formation, aimed to quell power struggles and maintain a definitive chain of command.

The elders and those in the leader's line—the main family—were few, a small but potent segment of our clan.

The others, despite bearing the same blood, were designated as the branch family, their roles determined before they even understood what it meant to belong to this complex familial web.

As I contemplated this, the weight of the leadership felt heavy on my shoulders. The traditions that bound us were as constricting to me as they were to those marked by the branch seal.

I found myself constantly in a battle between upholding these ancient practices and the growing urge to reform them, to soften the rigid lines that had divided my family so deeply.

My heart weighed heavily with the burden of responsibility, constantly seeking a way to bridge the deep divides within our clan. Why?

Because I longed to have my brother by my side, not as a servant but as my equal. I dreamed of a day when no member of my family would lament their fate or wish they had been born first. I wanted to eradicate the cruel randomness of fate that dictated our lives.

"Clan head, what precautions should we implement?"

The first elder, my father, broke the contemplative silence, pulling my thoughts back to the present concern—a matter demanding immediate attention.

I scanned the room, feeling the weight of every gaze fixed on me.

"A security detail will consist of three members: the first elder, Hizashi, and Hikari Hyuga," I announced, deliberately including Hizashi.

I could sense the disapproval from many in the main family, their discontent palpable in the air.

Yet, it did not sway me.

"This team will be responsible for protecting the council during the upcoming meeting with the Kumo Ambassador. With the heightened security, we will ensure that our family remains safe during this delicate time of diplomatic engagement."

"Dismissed," I concluded, rising from my seat.

I gestured to Hizashi, signaling him to follow me.

As we made our way through the serene Hyuga compound, a palpable silence stretched between us like a chasm.

It hadn't always been this way.

I fondly remembered days when Hizashi and I would talk endlessly like true brothers, joking about trivial family matters, like how my wife's cooking was atrocious but we all had to nod and sing praises, lest we face her wrath.

A nostalgic smile tugged at my lips as those memories flickered through my mind, but the smile faded quickly.

Those days were long past, overshadowed by the roles fate had thrust upon us.

"Lady Hinata, you are doing great," a voice broke through my reverie.

I looked up to see two children training a short distance away.

A boy clad in black with a leather mesh shirt, his long hair a testament to his heritage—this was my nephew, Neji Hyuga. Beside him, earnestly following his instructions, was my daughter, Hinata.

It was heartening, at least, to see that our children shared a bond that Hizashi and I had lost.

A sudden surge of killing intent snagged my attention, snapping me out of my thoughts. My eyes quickly found Hizashi, his gaze intensely fixed on the training children.

The malice in his eyes was unmistakable, directed not at me but at my daughter.

"Brother," I growled under my breath, my fingers twitching involuntarily by my side. As if sensing my alertness, the killing intent vanished, replaced by fear.

Hizashi quickly bowed and retreated a few steps.

I understood his frustration all too well.

His son, Neji, a prodigy who mastered the Gentle Fist technique before even turning five, was bound by the same cruel fate that had divided us—destined to serve my daughter, the heir of the Hyuga Clan.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, and I could empathize with Hizashi's bitterness. However, the moment his resentment endangered Hinata, he crossed a line that could not be ignored.

"The children are doing great, aren't they? Neji is so cute teaching Hinata the basics of the Gentle Fist. You should see them."

I turned to find my wife, Hanami, approaching with a gentle and serene expression. Her long, straight black hair cascaded down her shoulders, complementing her fair skin. Her large, soft eyes, small, straight nose, and slight smile conveyed warmth and tenderness as she cradled our baby.

"Hello there, Hizashi-kun," Hanami greeted, bowing slightly.

Hizashi returned the bow, his gaze briefly drifting to the baby in her arms.

"Congratulations on bringing a new member of the Branch family," he said, his words laden with an unintentional sting.

I felt my blood boil at his remark. It was true, painfully true—my daughter Hanabi, born into this world with a destiny already marked by the same cruel traditions that had dictated so much of our lives. It hurt deeply, as only a father's heart could understand when faced with the harsh realities imposed on his children.

Another reason for my resolve to reform the Hyuga clan's traditions.

"Hanami, be safe. I'm heading to the council meeting," I told her, trying to mask the turmoil inside me with a tone of calm assurance.

"Don't worry, just come back safe," she responded, reaching out her hand towards me. I took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Though we seldom expressed our love openly, the strength of our bond was palpable in that simple touch.

"Also, I'll make some tempura for you to eat later," she added with a smile.

My stomach churned at her words—now I was truly scared.

Cooking was not among Hanami's many virtues.

With a wry smile, I looked over at Hizashi, trying to shift my focus.

"Let's not keep the Hokage waiting," I said, steering the conversation away from domestic matters.

"Yes," Hizashi agreed, his tone neutral as he nodded towards his son, a brief greeting before we would part ways.

...

[ Konoha's Council Room ]

"Today, as we forge this peace with Kumo, we lay the foundation for a prosperous, secure future for Konoha."

I rolled my eyes, skepticism brewing within me as I listened to the Third Hokage's diplomatic speech.

His words felt like nothing more than a veil, skillfully drawn to obscure the true motives behind these negotiations with Kumo.

After the devastation of the Kyubi attack and the death of the Fourth Hokage, Konoha found itself drowning in debt.

A peace treaty with Kumo promised an influx of trade and missions, vital lifelines for our beleaguered village.

"Hokage-sama," I greeted the venerable leader of Konoha as he gestured toward a man with brownish-red hair and slightly tanned skin, adorned with the Kumo headband—clearly the Kumo Ambassador.

"A pleasure to meet the great leader of the Hyuga clan. My name is Hikaru," the man said, extending his hand toward me.

As I took his hand, a frown marred my face. There was something unsettling about the way he looked at me, particularly at my eyes, but diplomatic decorum required I mask my discomfort.

Konoha was in no position to afford missteps in these delicate talks.

The moment our hands connected, a peculiar sensation passed through me—I could feel a slight tug at my chakra. As quickly as it came, it was gone when he released my hand. Puzzled, I wondered, What was that?

I watched closely as the Hokage introduced Hikaru to the other clan heads.

Curiously, he didn't offer his hand to any of them.

Why?

What made his greeting with me different? Was it something to do with my Byakugan?

Amidst the pleasantries and formal introductions, my mind raced with suspicion.

The brief encounter had left me uneasy.

Could there be more to this ambassador than meets the eye?

Is there an ulterior motive behind his specific interest in the Hyuga?

....

[ Midnight ]

I sighed deeply as I approached the Hyuga Compound.

The meeting with the ambassador had been nothing more than formalities and small talk, with the Hokage handling most of the conversation.

It was all so tedious.

Stepping into the main family's compound, I was greeted by confused looks from the guards.

"Hiashi-sama, didn't you just arrive here a few minutes ago?"

My heart sank at those words.

"What do you mean?" I demanded, activating my Byakugan to scan my home from a distance.

No!

The sight that my eyes revealed caused a surge of panic.

I propelled myself forward with a shunshin, breaking through my door with such force that it splintered under my touch.

The scene inside struck me with a horrifying chill.

Hanabi was sleeping soundly, blissfully unaware, while Hanami lay slumped against the wall.

Blood painted the surroundings in a macabre tapestry, a sword impaled through her stomach, pinning her in a grotesque display.

The cursed seal on her forehead glowed ominously in the dimly lit room, casting an eerie greenish light.

"Hmm, to think the clan head would marry a branch member," a cold voice remarked. Illuminated by the cursed seal's light stood a man with a sack slung over his shoulder, filled with clothes to disguise his identity. Inside the sack, I glimpsed Hinata, bound and helpless.

"A shame that the mother couldn't be my breeding cow, the daughter will do."

I saw red at those words, fury and horror intertwining as a primal rage took over.

Gentle Fist: Twin Lion Fist!

Chakra surged from my palms, and I deftly shaped it into two roaring lion heads. I lunged forward, my heart fueled by a deep, seething need for vengeance.

The sounds of flesh tearing and bones breaking filled the room as my arm ripped through the man's chest, my hand holding the man's heart within my palm, feeling it pulse its last as his blood warmed my forearm.

I had avenged my wife's murder with a single, devastating blow, yet the satisfaction in the man's dying eyes haunted me.

It was as if he had welcomed death.

Suddenly, I felt a presence enter the room. My Byakugan confirmed it was Hizashi.

"Brother," he called out, his voice breaking through the turmoil swirling within me.

"Let's make sure the kids are okay," I responded quickly, pushing aside my own grief. There wasn't time to mourn; not yet. Gratefully, I watched Hizashi hurry off to ensure Hinata was safe, his actions lifting a small burden from my shoulders.

Left alone, I turned back to my wife, her lifeless form before me. The world seemed to narrow, the sounds of chaos around fading into a distant hum. Slowly, I sank to my knees beside her, the cold floor a stark contrast to the warmth she once radiated. Gently, I gathered her into my arms, her head resting against my chest as if she might wake at any moment and smile at me with eyes full of love and reassurance.

Tears welled up, blurring my vision—a stark reminder of the reality that she would never open her eyes again. My fingers trembled as I brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, the familiar softness bringing a fresh wave of pain that cut through my heart like a blade.

"My love," I whispered, my voice quivering with each word, "I don't know how to do this without you."

The weight of her absence pressed down on me, suffocating and immense. I was supposed to be the strong one, the stoic leader of the Hyuga clan, always in control. But in that moment, the facade cracked, and all the composure I'd clung to crumbled away. A tear escaped, tracing a hot path down my cheek, followed by another, and then another.

Here, in the private sanctum of our shared sorrow, I was not the Hyuga leader, not the stoic figure carved by duty and tradition—I was simply a man who had lost the love of his life, a husband mourning his wife.

Meanwhile, Hizashi quickly opened the sack to discover a knocked-out Hinata inside. Relief washed over him, grateful that the young girl had been spared the sight of her mother's tragic end.

His heart ached for his niece, and a surge of protectiveness filled him.

Fuelled by a growing anger toward whoever was responsible for this chaos, Hizashi moved to the assailant.

Hizashi's mind raced as he pondered how someone had managed to infiltrate the Hyuga compound.

The very notion that anyone could sneak past a Hyuga was absurd.

Yet, the chilling events of the night proved that not only had someone breached their defenses, but they had also inflicted harm upon his family.

With a swift motion, he pulled off the mask. The face that was revealed stopped him cold.

All that could escape from his lips in that shocking moment was a whispered, "Oh no!"

....

Is this a punishment from God?

I wondered, standing before the main family, which remained eerily calm under the circumstances.

My heart was heavy, too burdened to process much else.

I had already lost my wife tonight—what more could be taken from me?

Then, the appalling truth came to light.

The hidden assailant was Hikaru, the Kumo Ambassador.

Upon examining his body, it was discovered that he was a wielder of the Thousand Face Jutsu—a rare and enigmatic technique that allowed its user to change their face and chakra signature to mimic someone else.

It became clear that Hikaru had sneaked in by impersonating me.

The motives quickly unfolded as the Kumo delegation issued an ultimatum: they demanded my head, or else they would declare war.

Given Konoha's already fragile state, engaging in a war with Kumo was untenable. If war broke out, Iwa and Kiri would surely seize the chance to eliminate Konoha from the geopolitical landscape.

We were cornered, desperately disadvantaged.

It was evident that this entire ordeal had been a setup, a sinister ploy to obtain my body and, by extension, my Byakugan.

My father, stepping forward, broke the heavy silence.

"Clan head, the council has decided to replace you with Hizashi."

"What?!" I screamed, my voice echoing with disbelief and betrayal.

But before I could even begin to oppose the decision, the grim reality was forced upon me.

Hizashi stood in front of me, his expression somber.

Suddenly, I felt his palm press against my chin.

A jolt shot through my skull, rattling my thoughts violently.

The world spun wildly as darkness clawed at the edges of my vision.

Every sound muffled, every light dimmed, and a cold numbness spread through my body.

The last thing I saw was Hizashi's pained eyes as unconsciousness claimed me, pulling me down into a void where I was powerless to change my fate.

...

[ A Week Later ]

Numbness cloaked me like a heavy, suffocating blanket.

The Third Hokage, in a gesture meant as an apology, had awarded a significant expanse of land to the Hyuga clan to compensate for our losses against Kumo's machinations. Yet, this gesture did little to ease the hollow ache within me.

Happiness seemed a concept as distant and foreign as peace in these troubled times.

My wife was gone.

My brother was no longer here.

And what was I expected to do?

Celebrate over some parcels of land?

Revel in the supposed strengthening of the Hyuga clan? I snorted at the thought, a sound more of scorn than anything resembling amusement.

"You can take all the land back, just give me my brother and wife back," I muttered under my breath, my voice barely a whisper lost in the vast, empty chambers of my heart. I tried to cry, to release the pain in some way, but it seemed even my tears had abandoned me, leaving me with nothing but a dry, searing sense of loss.

"Why aren't you here to hate me?" I whispered to the silence of the room, my gaze falling on the final letter my brother had left me. My fingers trembled as I picked it up, the paper feeling far heavier than it should.

....

[ Dear Hiashi,

In such a brief period, we've faced immense tragedy. Kumo has proven itself ruthless, orchestrating schemes driven by fear of the Hyuga clan's greatness. Despite everything, there's an honesty I need to share with you, brother.

I've always resented you—not for who you are but for what you represent and for the circumstances that forced me into a life I never chose. It's this cruel world that binds us with chains we can't control. I hate what you, the clan head, represent, the destiny you embody, and the future it spells for my son, Neji. Yet, despite it all, you are still my brother, and there's no one else I'd rather have in that role.

I've proposed a plan to take your place. Perhaps, in doing so, I can break free from the Hyuga's shackles, from the cursed seal that has marked my life. I choose this path freely, so please, don't harbor any guilt.

We'll meet again in another life, you pain in my ass. Until then, goodbye.

From,

Hizashi ]

....

I had lost count of how many times I'd read the letter from Hizashi.

Its words were etched into my memory.

As I sat there, lost in thought, the door creaked open.

I didn't even bother to look up.

"Sir, we need you to perform the ritual," a voice called out, flat and emotionless.

I sighed heavily, the sound carrying all the weight of my resignation.

Rising from my chair, I walked out of my office and headed towards another room where a grim scene awaited.

Several members of the branch family were holding down Neji, my nephew, as my father stood by with a bowl glowing with a greenish light—the Cursed Poison of Bashe.

This ancient poison, used to create the cursed seal, trapped the poison within it. Upon the death of a Hyuga, the seal would break, releasing the poison and causing the dojutsu to disintegrate.

The longer the poison stayed sealed, the stronger it became.

Even a whiff of it was agonizing.

The seal—it was supposed to ensure obedience and protect the Byakugan.

What a joke.

I thought bitterly as I dipped my fingers into the poison.

"You murderer! You killed my father?! I'll kill you!" Neji screamed at me.

His words should have cut me, but I felt nothing.

My father moved to strike him, but a single look from me stopped him in his tracks.

He retreated silently.

I said nothing as I began to create the seal on Neji's forehead.

The others held him firmly in place, their grips unyielding.

There might have been a time when I would have rejected this cruel ritual, but that time had passed.

The world had broken me; I no longer had the strength to fight against these barbaric traditions.

"Fuin!" I muttered, activating the seal. Neji's screams filled the room, echoing off the walls, piercing through the heavy silence.

I stood there, my expression blank, my heart void of any feeling.

The cries of pain from my nephew were just distant noises to my numb senses.

Neji's screams began to haunt me, a grim chorus that resurfaced whenever a rare moment of peace dared to whisper in my ears.

They were like a curse, a bloody reminder that would not fade into the silence of my mind.

"Father," a small voice pulled me from the echoing torment.

I looked down to see Hinata in the gentle fist stance, her wide eyes seeking approval. Her stance was all wrong—her shoulders too tense, her feet improperly aligned. "Hinata, your form lacks precision. Your stance is too open, vulnerable. Tighten it up," I said sharply, my words slicing through the air with a cold precision that mirrored my internal frost.

Hinata's eyes welled with tears, but I remained unmoved as I stepped forward. "Again!" I commanded.

Every time I looked at her, visions of her mother's lifeless body clouded my vision.

I couldn't—wouldn't—allow that fate for Hinata.

She needed to be stronger.

Driven by a relentless resolve, I pushed her harder, demanding more.

Even if my heart ached with each tear she shed, even if my soul felt frayed with each sob that broke from her lips, I continued. This harshness was the only gift I could offer—a chance for her to survive in a world that had shown us no mercy.

I paused as Hinata crumpled slightly, clutching her wrist in pain, her small face streaked with tears.

My heart wrenched at the sight, yet my voice was steady, imbued with a harsh necessity as I told her, "You are the heir to the main clan, Hinata. It's high time you carry yourself as such."

They say pressure makes diamonds, and in this cruel forge of life, I resolved to transform Hinata into a diamond. Even if it meant breaking myself, even if it meant her tears mingled with mine in the shadows of our home, I would not relent.

She would rise, strong and unbreakable.

....

[ Present Day ]

"Good evening! Clan head," came the bows from all around me as I acknowledged them with a mere nod.

"Good evening, father," Hanabi greeted, bowing deeply. I responded tersely, "Evening."

Today was the day of the semi-annual meeting, a day I dreaded not only for the tedious politics of the main family but also for Hinata's consistently underwhelming performances.

"Hinata Neesan has been working really hard," Hanabi said in her defense.

I snorted dismissively.

Despite my hopes, Hinata had failed to live up to them.

It seemed as if she didn't even want to try. My disappointment in her was profound. How was she supposed to take over the clan with such a lackluster attitude and skillset?

How would she survive in this harsh world? My mind replayed all her past performances, each more disappointing than the last.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Neji approach.

If only you were born first, Hizashi.

I found myself thinking.

Despite the limitations imposed by his status in the branch family, Neji had proven himself far stronger than anyone in his generation.

I sighed as Hinata approached, my gaze inadvertently falling to her hands—she was wearing the Neko Te.

"Clan head, should we remove her weapon?" someone nearby asked.

"No," I responded firmly.

At least she was trying something different.

As I watched, Hinata and Neji assumed the Gentle Fist stance.

"Pathetic," Neji muttered, eyeing the Neko Te.

Expecting Hinata to be easily subdued as usual, I was taken aback when she took a deep breath and activated her Byakugan. "Hajime," I called out.

Neji lunged forward with a palm strike, which Hinata countered with a twin finger jab. It was a risky move, given that a palm could output more chakra.

But as their strikes met, I saw something remarkable.

Hinata's Neko Te extended the range of her Gentle Fist, the needle-like chakra protruding from her claws.

Although Neji's palm strike carried more chakra, Hinata's precise finger jab managed to poke a small hole through it. Normally, such a minor breach in a Gentle Fist strike would be inconsequential, as the opponent would still face the overwhelming force of the remaining palm strike. However, this time was different due to one crucial factor: the Neko Te.

If Neji didn't act, his hand would be impaled by the metal claws.

In a split second, Neji's stance shifted, and I recognized the technique immediately.

He twisted the remaining chakra in his palms to create a dome of chakra around him—Hakkeshō Kaiten (Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven)

It wasn't fully formed, but it was sufficient to send Hinata reeling backward.

"Father, that was Kaiten?!" Hanabi exclaimed, her eyes wide with both awe and confusion.

I simply nodded in confirmation. The Kaiten, or 'Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven,' was an advanced technique traditionally taught only to the main family members who had reached the rank of Jonin. Yet here was Neji, a mere Genin from the branch family, not just executing but reinventing the technique on his own.

His talent was undeniable.

"How dare you use the main clan technique?" an outraged member of the main family spat at Neji.

"How dare I? What do you mean? I learned that technique on my own," Neji retorted, his glare sharp and defiant.

The tension escalated when the main family member reached to activate the cursed seal, intent on punishing Neji right there.

Without hesitation, I threw a kunai, pinning the man's sleeve to the wall.

"Who allowed you to act in my presence?" I demanded, authority resonating in my tone. The room fell silent as the man backed down, clearly overstepping his bounds.

"Thank you for your intervention, Clan Head, but I must ask—why is the main family so offended by my self-invented technique and not offended by the fact that Hinata here violated the tradition of our clan? Our beautiful Gentle Fist ruined by some pathetic weapon," Neji continued, his voice dripping with scorn.

"You brat," I growled, feeling a surge of protective anger as I noticed the room's attention shift towards Hinata.

She looked down in shame, overwhelmed by the dozens of disapproving glares.

"Clan Head," the first elder, my father, began to speak. I could already anticipate the words about to spill from his lips—talk of tradition, the need for punishment, his usual rhetoric.

I wanted to shout, to defend my daughter's innovative spirit, but I held my tongue.

"Neji, dismissed. Everyone else, dismissed. Hinata, follow me," I commanded, rising from my seat.

"Now!" My voice boomed across the room.

Everyone bowed and quickly complied with my orders, leaving the hall in an orderly fashion.

As the crowd dispersed, I motioned for Hinata to stay close.

I saw that Neji was looking at Hinata's Neko Te, and for a second, I saw a flash of recognition as if he knew who had made the weapon as he left.

....

An awkward silence enveloped us as I sat behind my desk in the office, watching Hinata stand there, eyes cast downward.

"You can sit down," I offered gently.

"N-No, I-I have brought shame to the clan," she stammered. I wanted to disagree, to tell her she had done well, but the words felt foreign on my tongue, sending a chill down my spine.

How long had it been since I had complimented my daughter that it now felt so unnatural?

The thought terrified me.

"Hinata, you..." I started, struggling to find the right words.

My voice faltered. "I..."

"Can I see that weapon?" I finally asked, changing the subject.

Hinata nodded and carefully removed the Neko Te, handing it to me with a grip that lingered a little too long, as if reluctant to let it go. The realization that my daughter might not trust me stung deeply.

I examined the Neko Te. "This is well-crafted," I commented, noticing the chakra metal embedded in the claws. "Did you have this custom made?"

Hinata shook her head, hesitating before she spoke. "A friend gave me this as a gift."

"A friend, huh," I echoed, my mind briefly going blank before a self-deprecating thought hit me.

Of course, she has friends, why wouldn't she have friends?

"Yeah, my friends are...talented," Hinata added, her voice stuttering slightly. "They are... strong."

The way she emphasized 'talented' and 'strong' felt as though she was justifying her friends' worth. As the family head, such considerations might matter, but as her father, I only cared about whether her friends were genuine, liking her for who she was—not because she was the heir to the Hyuga clan.

Was it possible that Hinata saw me more as the clan head than as her father? The thought pained me more than any physical blow could.

I looked at the weapon again and asked, "Can you tell me why you used this?"

"Anno, my friends said that I needed to be more aggressive, and the Neko Te..." Hinata tried to explain, visibly nervous. I nodded, grateful she had friends who helped her address her shortcomings.

Why hadn't I been able to do that?

"You did good," I managed to say, offering the Neko Te back.

Hinata stopped, the weapon clattering to the floor as she stared at me, shell-shocked. Tears began to well up in her eyes, and as they fell, each one seemed to pierce my heart.

Hanami, I failed you.

In my quest to make Hinata strong, I pushed too hard and broke her.

To think just saying you didn't good is enough to get such a reaction.

Oh, flame, I am horrible father.

I picked up the Neko Te and handed it back to her.

"This weapon usage was unique; you were able to improve. That deserves a reward."

I retrieved a scroll from my desk.

"This is an advanced Gentle Fist technique known as the Gentle Step Twin Lion Fist. I believe this technique can complement your use of the Neko Te and the Gentle Fist. I'll be personally teaching you this."

"T-Thank you, clan head," Hinata said, bowing.

Clan head, eh? That's what I deserve.

I thought sadly, wishing she would call me 'father.' I turned away so she couldn't see the tears in my eyes.

"Your class will be at four in the morning. Be ready."

"Yes," she replied softly.

I glanced at a family photo on the wall, my eyes lingering on Hanami's image.

I'll do better this time.

...

[ Author note:

You guys know the drill by now. I say some extra things about why I wrote that chapter down, and you guys argue with me in the comments.

1- The Hyuga Clan:

Holy shit, this was the most annoying thing to write, especially with how the main and branch family members are divided, and we only get one example of it in Naruto, Hiashi and Hizashi, which annoyed me because Hiashi and Hizashi are both the sons of the previous clan head.

So if one of them went to the branch family, how in the hell does one become the main family member?

It can't be just the family head and the next heir because they can be easily assassinated by a branch member if they were the only main family members, so there must be more.

And like always, Kishimoto didn't give us much information.

So, in my fanfic, I gave this explanation: When the Hyuga clan was being formed, they chose a leader and a couple of elders who were, by tradition, obligated to make 2 children. The firstborn goes to the main family, and the secondborn is branch, and rinse and repeat till present day.

...

2- Hiashi's Characterization:

You might have seen that I did the characterization a little differently than most fanfics.

Most fanfics that I have read either make Hiashi this pompous, arrogant evil bastard that deserves to die or make him this good guy who is secretly pushing Hinata into falling for Naruto so that she gains more political power, and the evil Hyugas can't harm her, blah blah blah.

I guess my interpretation of Hiashi's character is more along the lines of:

A man who wanted to make his family better but the world took so much from him that he just broke and in his fears, he tried to make Hinata into someone she isn't. He forced too much pressure on her. I am not excusing Hiashi's actions as something that was justified, just giving more nuance to the character that Hiashi meant well but he couldn't see that his actions were too much. Tell me how you like this interpretation of Hiashi's character plus a solid character arc for Hiashi in this chapter.

...

3- The cursed seal:

yeah, it's supposed to be a forbidden Fuinjutsu that makes the victim obey, but how I portrayed it is a little different. Essentially the cursed seal holds a poison that can kill, hurt, and liquify the victim.

Also, the poison is a reference: how? Look at its name.

The poison of Bashe.

The Bashe is a legendary snake from Chinese folklore, known for its immense size and appetite for elephants.

Anyway, the cursed seal operates like how it does in canon, it's just that how it's created is different and since we have no idea from what it's created, I am going to give my own take on it. But why poison, you might ask? Well, the seal is always depicted as green in the anime and I kinda liked this thematic and symbolic representation of what the cursed seal is, it's a poison that chains the freedom in the name of protection. Tell me your thoughts on this in the comments.

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4- Hinata's mom:

Her name or what happened to her in canon is unknown.

But since the fan wiki for Naruto calls her Nanami Hyuga, I just went with that.

Nanami is from the branch family which gives more credibility to my interpretation of Hiashi's character that he wanted the Hyuga to change because of his wife - Hanami (branch clan).

because of his brother - Hizashi (branch clan).

because of his daughter - Hanabi (branch clan).

Plus her being from the branch clan gave me the perfect opportunity to give her a powerful death where she was protecting Hinata and Hanabi from Kumo's kidnapping.

Her death causes Hiashi to change.

Also, since she is kinda OC in this fanfic, how did you like her characterization especially the bit where it's revealed that she is a horrible cook which is funny since Hinata is an amazing cook?

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5- Kumo's kidnapping attempt:

I am going to be honest with you, I was so confused how to explain this kidnapping because somehow a Kumo ninja was able to kidnap the Hyuga princess when she was a child being protected by Hyuga, the guys who have 359° vision.

So, my answer is the thousand face jutsu, essentially Hikaru the Kumo ambassador took a piece of Hiashi's chakra, disguised himself as Hiashi, sneaked into the clan because his face and chakra match Hiashi perfectly and if he is to be caught, he is to get himself killed by the main family so that Kumo can demand the corpse of the main family member.

Also, I want to add that the breeding cow line was to make Hiashi angry enough to kill him. I personally don't feel comfortable writing a major village like Kumo who are going to be a major part of the story as someone who wants to essentially make breeding cattle out of kidnapped women.

I know that it's kinda canon since Kumo did try to kidnap Kushina and Hinata in canon, but I genuinely feel disgusted by writing that as a plot point and more so when Naruto interacts with Kumo.

I am sure many readers will say Kumo did this and that, they are so evil that they were going to make breeding cattle out of Hinata and Kushina, etc.

Hence why I am not writing the breeding cattle as an actual plan rather it was just a line to cause Hiashi to go for the kill.

Good, I am not arguing this point so if any of the comments say that it's canon, I will ignore you because as I said before, I am not comfortable with such a disgusting plotline.

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6- Oh, yeah, the Gentle Step: Twin Lion Fist. I can already see the horde of angry fans that are going to say that Hinata was actually the creator of the Twin Lion Fist.

But that's where you are wrong technically. Well, in the anime the Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists was credited to be her own creation. She got the initial version done by the time the Pain Assault Arc came along.

This is all filler btw.

Canonically however, according to the databook entry, the jutsu is said to be a secret high-level Gentle Fist technique, taught only to the Main House of the Hyuga Clan. Still, the only user of the technique is Hinata according to the entry and we didn't see any other Hyuga in the series use it. Theoretically, Neji should be able to use the initial Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists as well if he bothered to train for it, especially if we take the filler creation into account.

Dude basically told her how to use the technique.

Also, this technique can be used in conjunction with the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.

Hinata did improve the Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists over time and increased it in both strength and potential.

And after receiving Hamura's chakra, it increased considerably. Eight Trigrams Twin Lions Crumbling Attack. Anyway, in the filler she created the technique, in canon she developed an already existing technique to new heights.

It's actually similar to what Naruto did with the Rasengan.

(I have shared images in the comments if you want to know more info like databook screenshots and proof.)

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7- Okay, so the Hyuga clan's reaction would have been nuclear if Hiashi hadn't intervened and said stfu to everyone.

Hiashi is now going to train Hinata as she develops more her relationship with her father gets better, she gets more confident. And since Neji recognized Tenten's Neko Te, shit is about to go down.

What do you guys think Neji is going to do?

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Thank you for enjoying my work, and thank you for your support. I hope you guys have a blessed rest of the day, and please give me your thoughts in the comments.]